The happiest people, that I have known, are those who do not take themselves too seriously. When things are not going their way, they change their mind and look for other ways forward. They have the inner knowing that, as the Yoruba saying goes, "One road does not lead to a market place." Instead of spening endless time thinking about a problem, they go on straight to think about its solution. They are quick to accept their mistakes and never blame anyone else. They take their responsibility very seriously and are not afraid of making mistakes. They just laugh at errors and take quick corrective measures.
What differentiates such people from the rest of us is their ability to find a reason to be smiling when others are crying. It is their capacity to find a reason to be silent when others are talking. They see an opportunity when everyone else sees only problems. They do not keep malice against anyone. When they are criticised, they do not take it personally. They accept criticism with equanimity. At team meetings, they are great listeners. You can spot them in the way they nod their heads when someone is speaking even when they do not share that person’s point of view. They will never comment directly on any issue they disagree with; but only offer their own opinion instead. When they find themselves holding the minority opinions, they do not seek to impose their own opinions on others. They have no ego whatsoever. They are great team worker. They do not attract publicity to themselves. They do not seek people to praise them. They do not seek other people’s approval to do what they want to do for themselves and for others.
Happy people are known to be highly receptive to new ideas no matter how stupid the idea may initially appear to be. They ask open-ended questions to clarify any aspect of a new idea that appeared blurred to them at first. They are non-judgemental and detest labelling people. Their open-mindedness gives them the ability to seek other people’s point of view. This helps them to build close rapport with everyone. They know who they are. They have strongly held values that sustain them in all circumstances. They know what they belief. They believe in who they are and in what they do. They are not afraid of letting others know what they belief in even though they will never impose their belief on others. They respect other people but do not necessarily expect others to respect them back.
They love living creatively. Because they know that the nature of the Creator is to keep creating and recreating; they are never short of creating and recreating something new. They see and appreciate the beauty of creation. That is why such people love creative art. That is where they express their creative genius. They find expression in the art. This reflects in everything they do. They see the food on their dining table from the point of view of the Source of all the various ingredients that make up the dish. Through their power of imagination, they are able to express thanksgiving to the person that had put all the various ingredients together and bring them to the dining table. Most importantly, they are able to express thanksgiving to the Source that made it possible to produce all the ingredients.
They are naturally kind-hearted to people. They are not pretentious. To such people, what you see is what you get. Their appearances brighten to the environment. Whenever they go, they bring peace along with them. They are extremely good at making peace between people. They will however never take credit for anything they achieve but are quick at giving the credit to other people.
They detest hearsay. When a colleague gives them a negative report about another colleague, they never act on such information. When a report is capable of causing serious disaffection among colleagues, they are quick at seeking the approval of the person making the report to bring the issues to the attention of all the parties involved. This avoids rumour mongering.
Happy people have no scarcity mentality. They live in abundance. That does not necessarily mean in terms of physical material acquisitions. Even at that, they know that as their Source does not lack anything, they too do not lack anything. They are aware that there is constant flow of supplies from the creative Source, which they know will continue to flow in their direction. They know that in all situations they will be looked after. Because they have aligned their will with the will of the Source of abundance, they live their lives abundantly. They hardly ever complain of anything. Hence, people think they are rich financially and flow to them for help. Because they allow whatever flows into their lives to flow out to other lives, there is an uninterrupted flow into their lives. Because they look after the welfare of other people, the forces of nature also look after their own welfare. These are people with the wisdom for living. Their lives are happiness. They enjoy living their lives and they intend for others to enjoy theirs also.
What does it take to be a happy person? How much does it cost to smile to the person next to you? How much does it cost to say thank you to the supermarket cashier who has just served you with a smile. What does it cost you to say “I love you” to your partner? How much does it cost to say, “I am sorry, darling?" even when you know you are right. This is not a sign of capitulation but a sign of your desire to be happy and to share your happiness to the person you love. This is probably all it takes to bring your life to balance. Remember, the happiest people in the world are those who do not take themselves too seriously. This is what makes such people stand out in the crowd. Would you join them?
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